Review: Naruko Facial Spa Massage Cotton Pads

Hi guys!

I am reviewing the Naruko Facial Spa Massage Cotton Pads today. Frankly speaking, this is the first Naruko product that I used from the recent Taiwan Haul. I have previously used the Tea Tree Oil Out T-Zone Blackhead Remover which I bought in Singapore quite a long time ago. I didn't want the opened products to stay untouched too long so that is why I hasn't started on the Naruko items yet.

Okay so I went for facial the other day and my face was slightly red from all the extractions. So I used the La-Roche Posay Thermal Spray, soaked the cotton pad with it so that I can do a short mask-ing session to soothe my skin.

There are 60 pieces in a box, each piece measuring 60mm x 70mm, 100% cotton. Considering the large size, it is very convenient for masking.

You have to completely soak it to make the tearing part easier. I could tear it into 4 pieces. One each on the cheeks and one of the forehead. As the chin area does not require such a big piece of cotton, I tore it into half, one half on the chin and another on the nose. The cotton are surprisingly easier to tear, compared to the Muji unbleached ones. There wasn't cotton bits flying around which you would usually experience with the other cotton pads.

RATING: 4.5/5
Will I Repurchase? Maybe

Review: Browhaus

Hi guys! I'm going to share my experience at browhaus recently.

POSB credit card had a promotion a while ago whereby brow shaping services were 50% off so I thought why not give it a try. I made a reservation one day before and went to the mandarin gallery outlet.

When I went in, I decided to add on a upper lip threading as well. Before the therapist started, I told her I didn't want thin, high arched brows and showed her a picture of my desired brows and she told me she will try but may not be exactly the same. She threaded my upper lip first and it was very fast, like less than 5 mins.

 I guess I have a slightly higher than average tolerance of pain but I must say the therapist is pretty skilled. There is a lot of abrasions with the skin and the skin will start to feel a little hot and prickly. They will put a cooling gel at the end of the threading.

My eyebrows took the longest time. Around 20mins, that is because I have bushy eyebrows and a lot of stray hairs. I went to those facial salons for eyebrow tweezing before but the lady was like afraid of shaping my eyebrows and just plucked away those tiny stray hairs and it was so painful! So this therapist at browhaus was really skilled that I didn't feel pain except for some threading and tweezing near the eyelids. I really love the end result of my eyebrows! The therapist even taught me how I should fill in my brows and explained why she couldn't trimmed according the picture I showed her because my brows are naturally high arched unlike the Korean styled horizontal ones. The cashier did encourage me to take up packages but it wasn't really hard selling. I didn't take up the package in the end as I didn't like paying money upfront. Besides, without the promotion, their brow shaping service is at a pricier side. I will see how my brow grows out but most likely I will be coming back again unless I find another cheaper place where I am equally satisfied with the result.

After I went home, my skin above my brows felt sore though the redness had subsided. It started to break out on the 3rd day onwards, where white little bumps appeared. I had not broke out that badly in a while :( guess the cleaning wasn't done properly and perhaps due to the fact that I have rather sensitive skin. It took slightly more than a week to completely heal. But I am still happy with my brow shape! Many of my friends realised that I shaped my brows and I received many compliments!

Review: The Face Shop Honey Suckle 24 Moisture Body Exfoliator

Hi guys!

I am reviewing The Face Shop Honey Suckle 24 Moisture Body Exfoliator today.
I bought this product in Malaysia for less than S$18. I have not seen this product on Singapore shelves so I am not sure whether they are available here.

So here is the texture of the product. Its beige-brown in colour and there are tiny brown beads to aid exfoliation.When you spread it out to scrub, the colour turns white, something like soap but there won't be any bubbles. Just a tiny amount is sufficient because unlike the sugar scrub from Burt's Bees, the beads does not melt away.

There is a very fragrant smell, similar to that of a perfume. The smell is so strong that I can it engulfed my whole cupboard where I placed it. I would say the exfoliation is decent as I can see the difference in brightness of the skin after I exfoliate one leg and compare it to the other leg which has not been exfoliated yet. The beads are small and very gentle on the skin.

RATING: 4/5
Will I Repurchase: Probably not, not that it is not good but I would like to try on new stuff! :)

Review: Ettusais Acne Whitening UV Ex (Dry Block)

Hi guys!

I am reviewing the Ettusais Acne Whitening UV Ex (Dry Block) today. I bought this around a year ago but didn't go around finishing it. Can't believe the words on the packaging actually faded off already. I would say this Ettusais product packaging is below average for a counter brand.

• SPF 24, PA++
• Non-comedogenic
• Fragrance Free
• Colorant Free

 This is more suitable for dry skin types and the cream base has moisturising properties. There is an oil block as well, which has a lighter texture that caters to oily skin. As it is a cream base, it does not spread as easily as the La-Roche Posay one.

After you spread it out, it does not feel greasy but there is a slight white cast. Perhaps, this is the 'whitening' they meant? This serves to be a makeup base so you still need to apply foundation or some loose powder. 

RATING: 3/5

Will I Repurchase? No

Review: SK-II Facial Treatment Essence

Hi guys!

I am reviewing the SK-II Facial Treatment Essence today.
This miracle water contains more than 90% of Pitera. It started when scientists noticed that elderly japanese workers at a sake brewary had wrinkled face but extraordinary soft and youthful hands. After years of research, they isolated the source: Pitera! The brand is considered a luxurious brand as a whole skincare line can easily set you back at a thousand dollars. 
I found quite a lot of mixed reviews on this products, its either a love or a hate relationship. Some even mentioned that their skin is "addicted" to this product is which when they stop using it, their skin turned worse.

I had been using this FTE on and off for 1.5 years now. I have since decreased to using it only at night to repair my skin. I find that FTE works best when you use the whole SK-II line. My skin was at its peak when I used the Facial Treatment Gentle Cleanser - FTE - Repair C - Skin Signature regime. However, I did not want to use such so many expensive productus yet so I switched to other products while still using the SK-II Cleanser and FTE.

The other day, I used the FTE in between my Curel products and had a bad sensitive reaction. My right cheek turned red and itchy and small little bumps appear. I had to stop all skincare products and used only the La-Roche Posay and Avene thermal spray. These products are life-savers!

The Facial Treatment Essence comes in an exquisite heavy glass bottle. The new 330ml one comes in a plastic pump bottle which it is said to be 8% richer in Pitera compared to the usual 150ml, 215ml and 250ml bottles.

The essence is a clear liquid with a fermented smell. I couldn't take the smell at first but grew to like it.
I will pour the essence of a piece of cotton pad and slowly pat on my face as much times as I can. 

I use to have a lot of pimples and bumps on my forehead during my JC days, they all pretty much cleared up now, with occasional pimples here and there. Overall, I would say it really helps to improve the skin if I compare my skin now to back during my JC days. The effects of this Facial Ttreatment Essence can be pretty evident in some people. I have an aunt whose face is really glowing and radiant.
Perhaps I still need to give it more time to see the effects on my skin.

RATING: 4/5
Will I Repurchase? Yes

Haul: August 2012

Hi guys!

I bought some new skincare products recently and thought I would share it here :)

1) Curel Moisture Lotion 2 and Moisture Face Milk

This were bought a few months back and I have started using them. I will do a more thorough review after I finish about half a bottle or more. Stay tuned!

2) The Face Shop Honey Suckle 24 Moisture Body Exfoliator

Bought this in Malaysia, not sure if its available in Singapore though. The store was having 20% discount and considering the exchange rate, this came out to be less than S$18. I couldn't make up my mind to buy this or the sake one but chose this in the end because the SA claimed that it is more suitable for sensitive skin.

3) Kose Mask White

Had been eyeing this for the longest time! Wanted to grab it in the airport in May but somehow I didn't lol! Was too tired from the flight. Happened to see a Buy one Free one promo on newspapers last week and rushed to get it the next day. S$35 for 2!

Review: Skinfood Egg White Pack

Hi guys!

I am reviewing the Skinfood Egg White Pack today.
It comes in a set of 5 pieces of forehead & chin pack and 5 pieces of nose pack.

The forehead and chin pack. So basically you just place the inverted triangle between your eyebrows and another on the jaw as show in the picture. I only saw around 2-3 whiteheads from the chin pack and nothing removed from the forehead, it does remove some fine hair though.

The nose pack. It is slightly smaller than the Etude House Green Tea Nose Pack so it fits me better. The effect is roughly the same as the Etude House one as well, but visual wise the Etude House seems to be more effective because of the green background.

So basically you need to wet the areas you are going to stick on. Wait for it to dry. Around 15-20mins. Peel off from the bottom, in upwards motion.

RATING: Forehead and Chin Pack - 1/5
               Nose Pack - 3/5
Will I Repurchase: No